Cricket is one sport that transcends generations and makes everyone feel the same no matter what. However, the 90s and the early 2000s represented a very different era in cricket. This was a time when cricket used to be different as compared to how we view it now. Here are 7 things that fans miss from the 90s:
Man of the series driving his vehicle
There was a time when the man of the series would receive an automobile. Fans would still remain in the stadium post the presentation ceremony as they could watch their favourite players hop into their esteemed teammate’s car and go for a spin… around the ground.
This practice seems to have stopped off late with players preferring to celebrate and then immediately head back into the dressing rooms. 90s fans will never forget the fun that players used to have atop these vehicles.
Witnessing absolute legends at their peak
The 90s and the early 2000s was probably the most competitive era in the field of cricket. Every single team had plenty of strength and rarely would any match not go down to the wire. Names that are immortal and legendary would all show up and put on a show in many of these matches.
This particular era saw many legendary players – Sachin, Donald, Murali, Warne, Akram and plenty of other legends in their prime. Cricket was much more intense back then and it just isn’t now. Sorry.
The amusing state of fielding
One thing that has drastically improved over the years is the quality of fielding for many of the best teams. However, nothing will replace the amusing sight of the slower fielders trying to field back in the day.
Some of the not-so-fit fielders would not even bother taking the effort of running and stopping the ball and would depend on their deeper teammates to the dirty work for them. How times change.
No helmet, no problem
Back in the 90s, pitches were unpredictable, bowlers were extra fast and helmets, well, and helmets were a mere afterthought. While today’s batsman walks out into the middle looking like an astronaut with all that equipment on him, the batsmen back then had no issue charging to the likes of Malcolm Marshall or Brett Lee.
There have been instances of the ball hitting the head and the introduction of helmets has certainly made a difference, it just doesn’t seem as exciting as it was back then.
The Reverse swing and spin Era
When was the last time a team had three superb pacers, all who could swing the ball any way and watch the stumps clatter? Back then, many world-class fast bowlers could just pull out a reverse-swing ball at whim and pick up wickets.
Even the spinners back then were able to get so much more purchase from the surface as pitches were neutral and not so batsman-friendly as they are today. The likes of Warne and Murali would have found it a little harder to pick wickets today as compared to that era.
Dodgy decisions by umpires
Though technology has really made the game so much more watchable and better, the era of dodgy umpiring bought out emotions we never thought we would ever have. Who can ever forget Sachin adjudged LBW with the ball hitting his shoulder? Or the countless times batsmen were adjudged out despite the ball hitting the inside edge?
Technology has certainly made the game so much better but the raw outbursts felt back in the day can never be replaced by anything else.
India-Pakistan at its best
The 90s and early 2000s saw India play Pakistan multiple times and each of these encounters were better than the last. Watching the likes of Sachin, Kumble, Dravid, Ganguly, Akram, Waqar, Akthar and Inzamam to name a few bringing out their A-games was a real treat to watch.
Political tensions between the two countries have now relegated these games to just ICC tournaments or the odd series here and there. However, the gripping drama and exhilaration of these games back in the day can never ever be replaced.
By Rohit Nair
